very fortunate in his selection of Chinese scholars. One of these went from Pu An Tun to Germany, recommended by Mr. Ament to the legation. He remains there now as teacher of Chinese in the Berlin University. Another, Chang Hsi Hsin, became Dr. Goodrich's very able assistant in translating the Scriptures.

The monthly labor upon the Church News became of very deep interest to Mr. Ament. The general make-up was his, such as translation of foreign telegrams, a survey of passing political events, the editing of the news from the churches, and selection of articles sent in. The résumé of the imperial edicts could be left to the scribe. Most of the articles were in simple Mandarin, others in easy classical, if such there be. The pleasure of this service to the churches was found in its increasingly useful character. Yet he assures his correspondents that it was a byplay not interfering with daily preaching or extended tours.

This editorial work continued until his furlough in 1897 and was resumed on his return the following year.

Peking, Sept. 21, 1892.

TO THE MEDINA JUNIOR ENDEAVOR SOCIETY :

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS :-I am greatly delighted to hear of the prosperity of your society and trust it will meet with even greater success in the future. I suppose I am safe in taking for granted that most of the members are not those with whom I used to have such pleasant meetings. Many of those now are doubtless stalwart young men and beautiful young women, active members and loyal supporters of the regular Endeavor Society. I suppose you all know the meaning of the word "endeavor." It means, "on duty." The true endeavorer is always on duty, ready to do whatever comes to his hand "for Christ and His Church."

You will be much surprised to learn that though I have tried to be a good endeavorer, still I do not live within a thousand miles of any endeavor society that I know of. It is a

melancholy fact. I shall have to confess that the greatest Christian movement of modern times is not represented in Peking or North China. There is a reason for this. Thirty years ago there was not a Protestant Christian in this great city of Peking. There may be as many as six hundred now, but they are scattered over a large area. Most of them are very poor and have to live from hand to mouth, so they never have any time for anything outside the usual duties. On Sabbath they will usually come for the morning service, after that we may not see them again till the next Sunday. If one of our Christians works for a heathen master, he has only to mention keeping the Sabbath, or attendance on any of our meetings, in order to lose his place at once.

A few years in the heathen land would make you think Medina a perfect Paradise. I know that people are not all as good as they ought to be but still it is heaven as compared with Peking.

But it is not all dark, even here. As I sit writing there is a young Chinese in my house playing on a baby organ and the sweet notes of "What a friend we have in Jesus" come wafted to my ears, telling me that Jesus is working even here. This young man was once a "street rat," as wild and wicked as he could be. His father was a miserable besotted opium-smoker, just ready to drop into the grave. He gave me this boy and I have now supported him more than ten years. He has fallen into many sins, been dismissed from our church, but has held on, and has been held on to, until now he has graduated from our mission college, and in a few days begins to study for the Christian ministry, one of the most hopeful young men in the mission. He has a conscience, feels the weight of his sins, and fights for victory like a hero. But such boys are rare and we cannot get enough of them together in one place to form a Christian Endeavor Society. We have Christians who come to church from homes where they are reviled for so doing. All it needs is time, patience, and the spirit of God to make these Chinese Christians as good as any you will find in the world. I hope you will pray for them and study about them so that you may know what a great work we are engaged in, and also thank God every day that you were born in a Christian land.

My little Emily comes in just now and begs me to go with her to the Greek church service, which is held Saturday afternoon at four, It seems a strange hour and the service is still

stranger. I do not suppose any one present understands the words which are intoned. They burn incense in a swinging lamp, and you can hardly see across the room; bow down to thirty pictures and images, kiss the Bible which they never read, and which is kept locked with a clasp on the lids, make genuflections, wear many and queer garments and withal are quite as interesting as a theatre. It makes one feel bad to see such splendid opportunities as these wasted. The Russian priests are under the protection of the government and the Emperor of China, but they make scarce any effort to spread abroad the knowledge of the truth. The Greek church has been in Peking over two hundred years and I do not suppose they have over two hundred followers now.

Well, the world will be different when you and other members of the junior societies have grown up and have gone out to make the world better and richer for your Christian efforts. May the Lord bless and keep you all. Your society lies very near my heart, and when I was obliged to leave you and come away to China, I received a wrench from which I have never recovered. You know that your church is the only one which the Lord ever permitted me to minister to in a Christian land, and you are the only children I was allowed to love through service and sacrifice. Hence I am drawn to you with an undivided affection and I trust you will never give me reason to believe or know that my labor at Medina was in vain. Keep close to Jesus in undying loyalty. Be true to your pastor and the church and you will always rejoice in the Christian life. Remember that foreign missions are the great work of the Church. You are to convert the world. I am continually starting little Sabbath-schools, churches, and helping boys and young men in getting an education. If you care to do anything for the boys and girls here send your contribution direct to me, and I will see that it is well expended. Good-bye and God bless you all, every one. Your friend in China,

TO DR. SMITH:

W. S. AMENT.

Peking, Oct. 18, 1892.

My North Chapel has just been put in repair so it looks fit for human habitation. In spite of all that we can do it leaks badly every summer, necessitating complete repairing and

whitewashing. Being rented, we are in the hands of the landlord and cannot make extensive alterations. The floor is three feet below the level of the street and is always black with moisture. For twenty years the room has had water standing in it every summer, till the last two years when the break-water had been built. Three fires in the winter seem to have no more effect in reducing the damp exhalations from the floors than though they were not. In the rear the rooms for the helper are no better. Certainly in the United States it would not be considered safe to stable a horse in such a place. On Sabbath days, holding meetings with the women, Mrs. Ament is often obliged to get up and go out in order to breathe. Such rooms are also all I have in which to house my station class this winter. This without exaggeration is the condition of the place we call the North Chapel and in which I am supposed to be able to build up a church. Notwithstanding all this our success has been such as to warrant me in lifting up my voice and claiming better quarters. It is absolutely hopeless to expect that our few native Christians, all poor, will be able to help in this matter. The most that we can expect is that they will largely assist in the running expenses.

There

The days at the old North Church were golden days, despite the chill of the dark rooms in the rear. women could creep in by a side door and receive instruction from Mrs. Ament herself, a wearying yet satisfying work leading to the great end, the rescue of men and women from their ignorance and sorrow. The long walks to and fro, the surly neighbors and the weariness were forgotten in the joy of touching some lives that could be rescued and brought into the kingdom of light. When Emily grew to girlhood, it was a happy trio working together. Emily with the little girls, and Mr. Ament with the men, each pointing some eager heart to the way of truth and life.

The home on the hilltop at the Western Hills in summer was a delight to them all. Emily and Willie would spy their father riding the white pony from the steaming city to the restful hillsides for a day or two with